Curtain stretcher



May 5, 1953 w. KARAs CURTAIN STRETCHER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed April 4. 1952 INVENTOR BY 77(4W/5W1-AQMM ATTORNEYS M y 1953 w. KARAS CURTAIN STRETCHER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed April 4. 1952 III I N VE NTCR K4248,

W/IL TEE ATTORNEYS,

Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE CURTAIN STRETCHER Walter Karas, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 4, 1952, Serial No. 280,589

8 Claims.

This invention relates to curtain stretchers, and more particularly, has reference to a knock-down curtain stretcher adjustable as to length and width and adapted, in any position of adjustment, to expose a rectangular pattern of nails for engaging the edge of a curtain to be stretched.

It is-old in the art to provide a-curtain stretcher having longitudinal and transverse frame members each of which comprises telescopically related frame portions, and no claim is made to this arrangement per se. However, it is desirable that a curtain stretcher have, at all times, a rectangular series of sharply pointed, closely spaced nails extending laterally from the frame, and. the provision of such a .series in a curtain stretcher of the telescopic type presents difiiculties, since the nails would ordinarily interfere with the making of the necessary telescopic adjustments.

It has heretofore been proposed that a curtain stretcher be provided with retractable means for engaging a curtain to be stretched, but to my knowledge there has not been previously devised an arrangement wherein the act of adjusting associated frame portions telescopically relative to one another will be effective to cause the retraction or extension of the curtain-engaging nails.

It is an important obiect of the present invention to provide a curtain stretcher wherein the telescopic adjustment of the component parts thereof will 'be effective to provide the desirable result stated above.

Another important object is to provide a curtain stretcher as stated wherein retra tion and extension of the curtain-engaging nails or pins will be accomplished by a concealed series of cams, that are actuated by telesco ic ad ustment of associated frame portions relative to one another.

Still another important obiect is to provide a curtain stretcher as stated wherein, in any position of relative telescopic adiustment of the parts, therectangular series of pins will be unbroken throughout the periphery of the curtain stret her, with the nails or pins of said series being disposed in a common plane, thus to hold the curtain engaged thereby in a complete y flat position and assure the uniform stretching thereof.

A still further important object of the inventionis to provide a curtain stretcher as described which, though of telescopic construction and though provided. with a means for effecting the retraction and extension cf the curtain-engaging nails responsive to the making of the desired telescopic adjustments, will nevertheless be of knock-down construction. thus to be capable of being stored in a relatively small area.

Summarized briefly, the invention comprises a rectangular frame composed of a pair of parallel longitudinal members and parallel transver e members extending between and connected to said longitudinal members. Each member of the frame comprises telescopically related frame portions. one frame portion of each member being provided with a longitudinal series of nails fixedly mounted thereon. The other frame portion of each member telescopes within the frame portion hav ng the fixed nails, and is provi ed with a longitudinal series of retractable nai s. Pivotal y mounted within the frame portion having the retractable nails is a longitudinal series of cams o eratively associated with sa d n ils in a manner to cause the retraction or ex ension thereof, and mounted in the frame porti n hav n" the fixed nails is a cam-engaging means which is effective to engage the cams in succession on telesco ing of the frame portions, thus to cause the retraction of a predetermined n"mber of the movable nails respon ive to the telesco ing of one rame portion nto the other.

Ot er ob ects w ll appear from the following descri tion, the claims appended thereto, and from th annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a curtain stret her formed in accordance with the pre ent invention;

F gure 2 is n end elevational view, taken from the left of Fi ure 1;

Fi ure 3 is. a fragmentary. exploded perspective view of one corner of the curtain stretcher:

Fi ure 4 is an enlar ed, transverse sectional view taken on line d i of Figure 1;

F ure 5 s a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure l;

F u e 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fi ure 5;

F ure '7 is a sectional view taken on line 11 of Fig re 5: and

Fi ure s is a f a mentarv, e ploded perspective vi w of the telescoping parts of associated frame port ons.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the;refer- 1 the frame member of which it is apart, since it receives telescopically the other frame portion of the same longitudinal frame member.

The reference numeral I2 designates generally the outer frame portion of the other longitudinal frame member of the curtain stretcher, the reference numerals l4 and I6 designating generally the outer frame portions of the respective transverse frame members of the stretcher.

Telescoping within the outer frame portion I is an inner frame portion 18, and telescoping within the outer frame portion 12 is an inner frame portion 20. An inner frame portion 22 telescopes within the outer frame portion I4 of one transverse frame member of the curtain stretcher, with an inner frame portion 24 telescoping within the outer frame portion [6 of the other transverse frame member.

By reason of the construction so far illustrated and described, it is seen that the curtain stretcher includes a rectangular frame comprising a pair of parallel longitudinal frame members and a pair of parallel transverse frame members, each frame member of the stretcher being formed of telescopically related frame portions which, as shown in Figure 8, are of tubular construction.

The construction of the several outer frame portion I0, [4, l2, and I6 is basically the same, said outer frame portions differing from one another only as to length and as to the means for connecting the same to adjacent frame portions at the several corners of the curtain stretcher frame. Thus, the outer frame portions [4 and I6 are of identical, though opposite construction, and the outer frame portions [0 and I2 are also of identical, though opposite construction. Therefore, as will be apparent hereinafter, a description of one will suffice for all, and the outer frame portion l4 only will be described so far as the details of its construction are concerned.

As shown in Figure 8, the outer frame portion 14 has a flat back wall 26 rigid along the outer longitudinal edge thereof with a fiat outer side wall 28, that is disposed normally to said back wall. Along its inner longitudinal edge, the back wall 26 is integral or otherwise made rigid with an inner side wall 3%) that is also normal to the back wall. The inner side wall 30, in this connection, is of substantially reduced width as compared to the width of the outer side wall 28.

Integral or otherwise rigid with th forward edge of the outer side wall 28 is an outer, front side wall portion 32 arranged parallel to the back wall 26, said front side wall portion 32 merging into an inclined, intermediate front side wall portion 34, which in turn merges into an inner, front side wall portion 35 extending to the inner side wall 30 and arranged parallel to the portion 32 and the back wall 26.

A longitudinal series of closely spaced, curtain-engaging nails or pins provided upon the outer frame portion l4, and upon each of the other outer frame portions [0, i 2, and I6 respectively. The nails 38 are fixedly mounted upon their associated frame portions and extend throughout the length thereof, said nails projecting laterally of the curtain stretcher when said curtain stretcher is erected in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2, for engaging the edge of a curtain to be stretched, not shown.

Fixedly mounted upon the inner surface of the outer side wall 28 is a longitudinal rib 40, said rib constituting a projection within the outer frame portion 14 and extending, preferably, throughout the length of said outer frame portion. The other outer frame portions I0, I2, and it are provided with similar internal projections, as will be readily understood.

That end of the outer frame portion l4 that receives the inner frame portion 22 is formed with a longitudinal slot 42, said slot being provided in the inner front wall portion 36 and opening upon the adjacent end of the frame portion I4.

A latch means is provided on each outer frame portion for engaging the inner frame portion associated therewith in selected positions of telescopic adjustment of the frame portions, the construction of said latch means being particularly well shown in Figures 5 and 8. As shown in these figures, the latch means includes a latch member 44 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a pivot pin 46, that is journaled in and extends between pivot brackets 43 fixedly mounted upon the inner side Wall 30. One end of the latch member is continuously biased outwardly of the inner sid wall 30 by means of a leaf spring 50 that engages said inner side wall, the other end of said latch member being formed with an inturned lip 52 that is continuously forced inwardly, by reason of the pressure of said spring, through an aperture 54 formed in the inner side wall. The lip 52, as shown in Figure 5, will frictionally engage the telescoped part of the inner frame portion 22 in any position to which said inner frame portion is telescopically adjusted relative to the outer frame portion [4, thus to retain the frame portions in selected positions of telescopic adjustment.

Considering the construction of the several inner frame portions, a description of the crosssectional shape and inner construction details of one will suffice for all, and accordingly, the inner frame portion 22 will be the only inner fram portion described.

As seen in Figure 8, the inner frame portion 22 is of tubular formation, and is shaped crosssectionally in a manner similar to the outer frame portion l4 associated therewith, it being understood, however, that the inner frame portion will be slightly smaller in cross-sectional area so as to permit it to fit snugly within and be slidable relative to the outer frame portion [4.

The inner frame portion 22 includes an outer front wall portion 56, merging into an inclined, intermediate front wall portion 58, which in turn merges into a flat, inner front wall 60. An inner side wall 62 is disposed normally to and is integral with the portion 60, and has slidable contact with the inner surface of the inner side wall 30 of the frame portion [4.

The frame portion 22 also includes a flat back wall 64 that slides upon the back wall 26, said back wall 64 merging into and being normal to an outer side wall 66.

The outer side wall 66, intermediate its respective longitudinal edges, is formed, from end to end thereof, with a longitudinal recess 68 receiving the projection 40 of the outer frame portion I4, and formed in the inner wall of said recess is a series of elongated, closely spaced slots 10 (Figure 4).

A cam carrier plate 12 is provided, that extends the length of the inner frame portion 22, said plate being housed within said inner frame portion and being fixedly mounted therein in any suitable manner.

As seen from Figure 8, the cam carrier plate has a back wall 14 positioned against the inner wall of the recess 68, said back wall 14 being slots lllthat areregistered-with theslots ID.

Mounted upon .the plate .l2.is..a longitudinal. series of cams each-of which includes an arm 78.- onesend of which is. upwardly, offset asat Sit. andextended through the registering slots Win16 (Figure 4) The arms is are pivotally mounted,

intermediate their ends, on pivot pins -82 carried by the cam carrier plate l2, and formed on the other ends of said arms are arcuate cam plates 84, the constructionof which is particularly well illustrated inFigures 5 and 7..

Each cam plate. 84 .is formedwith an. arouate slot lili the slots 86 defining .cam slotsandbeing arrangedobliquely to the axis of pivotal .move-. ment of thearms l8.

Formed upon the carrier plate "i2, and extending through the full length of said carrier plate, is an upstanding front wall 853,. formed from. end to end thereof with .a longitudinal series of dovetail recesses in. which blocks 9B are slidably mounted. The blocks 96,. in this connection, are

mounted in. the front wall of the cam carrier plate for movement between extended positions shown at the left in Figure 7, and retracted positions. shown at the right in this figure. The blocks, in this regard, move to their retracted and extended positions along lines parallel to the axes .of pivotal movement of the cam arms ":3, and carried by each block is a curtain-engaging nail 92. In the extended positions of the blocks 90, the nails s2 carried thereby project through apertures 93 formed in the wall of the inner frame portion 22, said nails being recessed wholly within said frame portion 22 when the frame portion is telescoped within its associated outer frame portion it.

Each of the blocks Ellis provided with. a laterally extended pin 9 3, extending into the cam slot 85 associated with said block, and thus it will be seen that on pivotal movement of the cam arm 18 in one direction, the blocks 96 will bebiased to one position, said blocks beingbiased to their other position on pivotal movement of the cam arms in an opposite direction.

Normally, the blocks @llland their associated nails Q2 are disposedin an extended position, and to this-end, a spring 96 is-assooiated with each cam, said spring being connected at one end to the carrier plate l2 .andat its other end to the upwardly offset end 3 of the cam arml'B. The springs iii; are so tensioned, in this connection, as to normally swing the cam arms it to positions perpendicularto the longitudinal center line of the frame portion 22, and in this position of the cam arms l3,.the blocks as willtbe in their extended positions. W hen, however, the cam arms is are swung inone direction to the position shown at the right Figure 5,.the blocks will,

During thisoperatiomeach. nail til will move, while still extended, into the slot 32,.and before. 1 it reaches the inner end of said .slot, will be with-- drawn into the frame portion .22.. Similarly,

when the frame portion 22 is withdrawn relative tov its associated frame portionl i, eachnail 92,

will move upwardlyinto .thes1ot42,in succession.

Inithis "way, aareotangular pattern of curtain= engaging nails is providedinthe curtainstretcher at .all times, in .anyposition-.ofrelative adjustment of .the component .frame members thereof, with all the nails of.said.rectangularpattern. or series being coplanar to all. intents .andpurposes, thus toefiect the retention. of .the stretched. curtainina :flat position andcause the curtain to be stretched. uniformly throughout itsv area.

Considering now the meanswhereby the-several frame .rnen'lbers are connected at the corners of the curtain stretcher, asiniilar connectin means is providedateach corner, .andaccordingly, one only .will be described. Asshown in Figure 3, this means includes an angle plate 98 secured fixedly to the outer .frame portion I5, alike plate being securedfixedly to the inner frame portion 2 the inner frame portion 22,-and the outerframe portioni l.

.Pivotally mounted upon-one legyof the angle platefifi is aswinging latch member tilt, having.

a finger grip Hi2 vat its .free end and a side recess I94, .said recess IDs-also being disposed at the free end of said latch member. A slot 186 is formed in the leg of the angle plate on which said latch member is .movably mounted, thelatch member swinging into position across said slot.

Phat end of the frame portion l 6 on which the angle plate 88 is mounted is formed with indentations ltd, Hi3 that are adapted to receive the adjacent end of the frame portion iii said frame portion idbeing formed withalatchplate H2 extendable through the-slot i 05,. and formed with a locking recess iii adapted. to receive the notched or recessed .end of the latch member Elli By. reason. of this. arrangement, connecting means isv provided which permits. the several frame .members .of .the curtain stretcher to be disconnected whenever desired, thus to impart a, knock-down. characteristic to the entire assembly, whereby the several components .of. said assembly can be separatedfrom,oneanother and stored in a small area.

In Figures 1 and .2, there is illustrated the means whereby theframe of the curtain stretcherissupported .in a. substantially vertical plane, said means including a pair of tubular standards H6 spaced longitudinallyof the'stretcher frame.

Telescopically mounted in the open upper ends receive between them the frame portion I 2, 20-

respectively.

The lower end. of each supporting yoke I22 is of bifurcated construction, and mounted between the forks of .said lowerarm ,ofthe supporting yoke is a pivoted clamp .124 of inverted, L-shaped formation.

The. clamp member 124 is pivotally mounted, asat I26, on depending ears provided upon. the lower end of the yoke 122,.and secured to said clamp member, at the-lower end thereof, is a leaf spring I 23, that extends into engagement with the standard H6... Thus, theclamp mernber I24 is yieldably ,pressed .into engagement.

with the frame. portion associated therewith, to

.releasably' grip the same; the 'iangular. plates .1 20

then being forced into engagement with the frame portions I0, I8 and held in proper position by means of a friction latch I30, formed identically to the latches illustrated in Figures and 8, and mounted upon the standards I I6.

Mounted upon each standard H6 is a foldable supporting leg, the standard being provided with ears I32 carrying a pivot pin on which the folding leg I 34 is swingably mounted. Each leg I34 is provided with a pivoted latch I36, the lip of which is extendable into any of a plurality of notches provided upon the ears I32, thus to retain the leg I34 in selected positions to which it is swung relative to the standard IIS associated therewith.

From the illustration and description provided herein, it is apparent that the entire assembly can be knocked down, whenever desired, and folded in a small area, the several inner frame portions telescoping fully within the outer frame portions associated therewith. Further, when the curtain stretcher is to be used, the frame thereof can be adjusted readily as to length and width, and the act of making the telescopic adjustments automatically causes the retraction or extension of some of the movable nails 92, so that in any position of adjustment of the parts, a continuous rectangular series of laterally projected, curtain-engaging nails is exposed.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and de scribed, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor changes in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A curtain stretcher comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitudia nal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions;

a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on tion to retract the same; and means on the firstnamed portion arranged to engage said cams and actuate the same to the nail-retracting position thereof, responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith.

2. A curtain stretcher comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitudinal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connecting to and extending between the longitudinal members, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions; a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on one portion of each member; nails mounted on the other portion of each member for retraction into said other portion; cams operatively associated with the respective nails of said other portion to retract the same; and means on the first-named portion arranged to engage said cams and actuate the same to the nail-retracting position thereof, responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said means being arranged for engaging each cam in succession, whereby to effect retraction of the second-named nails in succession during continuing telescoping movement of said other portion into said one portion.

3. A curtain stretcher comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel, longitudinal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions; a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on one portion of each member; blocks arranged longitudinally of the other portion of each member and mounted for retraction thereinto; nails carried by the respective blocks; cams operatively associated with the respective blocks to retract the same responsive to movement of the cams in one direction; means on the first-named portion arranged to engage said cams and actuate the same to the block-retracting position thereof responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said means being arranged for engaging each cam in succession, whereby to effect retraction of the blocks in succession during continuing telescopic movement of said other portion into said one portion; and springs operatively associated with the respective cams for normally urging the cams in an opposite direction, thus to retain the blocks and nails carried thereby in a normally extended position.

4. A curtain stretcher comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitudinal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions; a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on one portion of each member; blocks arranged longitudinally of the other portion of each member and slidably mounted therein for movement transversely of said other portion to retracted and extended positions; nails carried by the respective blocks; cams movably mounted in said other portion and individually engaged with the respective blocks to bias the same to a retracted position responsive to movement of the cams in one direction; means on the first-named portion arranged to engage said cams and actuate the same to the block-retracting position thereof responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said means being arranged for engaging each cam in succession, whereby to effect retraction of the blocks in succession during continuing telescoping movement of said other portion into said one portion; and springs operatively associated with the respective cams for normally urging the cams in an opposite direction, thus to retain the blocks and the nails carried thereby in a normally extended position.

5. A curtain stretcher comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitudinal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions; a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on one portion of each member; blocks arranged longitudinally of the other portion of each member and slidably mounted therein for movement transversely of said other portion to retracted and extended positions; nails carried by the respective blocks; cams pivotally mounted intermediate their ends in said other portion and individually engaged at one end with the respective blocks to bias the same to a retracted position responsive to the swinging movement of the cams in one direction; a projection on the firstnamed portion arranged to engage the other ends of said came to swing the cams to the blockretracting position thereof responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said projection being arranged for engaging each cam in succession, whereby to effect retraction of the blocks in succession during continuing telescoping movement of said other portion into said one portion; and springs connected at opposite ends to the cams and said other portion respectively, for normally swinging the cams in an opposite direction, thus to retain the blocks and the nails carried. thereby in a normally extended position.

6. A curtain stretcher comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitudinal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions; a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on one portion of each member; blocks arranged longitudinally of the other portion of each me1nber and slidably mounted therein for movement transversely of said other portion to retracted and extended positions; nails carried by the respective blocks; cams pivotally mounted intermediate their ends in said other portion for movement about axes parallel to the line of sliding movement of the blocks, said cams having slots at one end oblique to said axes and the blocks including pins slidably engaged in the slots, for biasing of the blocks to a retracted position responsive to swinging movement of the cams in one direction; a projection on the firstnamed portion arranged to engage the other ends of said cams to swing the cams to the blockretracting position thereof responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said projection being so disposed relative to said other ends of the cams as to engage each cam in succession, whereby to effect retraction of the blocks in succession during continuing telescoping movement of said other portion into said one portion; and springs connected at opposite ends to the cams and said other portion respectively, for normally urging the cams in an opposite direction, thus to retain the blocks and the nails carried thereby in a normally extended position.

'7. A knock-down curtain stretcher adjustable as to width and length, comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitudinal members and a pair of parallel trans-- verse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members; separable, fixed connections between the members at the several corners of the frame, each member being formed of telescopically related frame portions; 2, lonitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on one portion of each member; blocks arranged longitudinally of the other portion of each member and slidably mounted therein for movement transversely of said other portion to retracted and extended positions; nails carried by the respective blocks; cams pivotally mounted intermediate their ends in said other portion for movement about axes parallel to the line of sliding movement of the blocks, said cams havin slots at one end oblique to said axes and the blocks including pins slidably engaged in the slots, for biasing of the blocks to a retracted position responsive to swinging movement of the cams in one direction; a projection on the firstnamed portion arranged to engage the other ends of said cams to swing the cams to the blockretracting position thereof responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said projection being so disposed relative to said other ends of the cams as to engage each cam in succession, whereby to eifect retraction of the blocks in succession during continuing telescoping movement of said other portion into said one portion; and springs connected at opposite ends to the cams and in said other portion respectively, for normally urging the cams in an opposite direction, thus to retain the blocks and the nails carried thereby in a normally extended position.

8. A knock-down curtain stretcher adjustable as to width and length, comprising: a rectangular frame including a pair of parallel longitu dinal members and a pair of parallel transverse members connected to and extending between the longitudinal members; separable, fixed connections between the members at the several corners of the frame, each member being formed of tubular, telescopically related frame portions; a longitudinal row of nails fixedly mounted on and disposed exteriorly of one portion of each member; blocks arranged longitudinally of the other portion of each member and slidably held therein for movement transversely of said other portion to retracted and extended positions; nails carried by the respective blocks, said last-named nails being disposed exteriorly of their associated portions in the extended positions of the blocks and interiorly of said associated portions in the retracted positions of the blocks; cams pivotally mounted intermediate their ends within said other portion for movement about axes parallel to the line of sliding movement of the blocks, said cams having slots at one end oblique to said axes and the blocks including pins slidably engaged in the slots, for biasing of the blocks to a retracted position responsive to swinging movement of the cams in one direction; a projection within the first-named portion arranged to engage the other ends of said cams to swing the cams to the block-retracting position thereof responsive to telescoping of said other portion into the frame portion associated therewith, said projection being so disposed relative to said other ends of the cams as to engage each cam in succession, whereby to effect retraction of the blocks in succession during continuing telescoping movement of said other portion into said one portion; and springs connected at opposite ends to the cams and said other portion respectively, for normally swinging the cams in an opposite direction, thus to retain the blocks and the nails carried thereby in a normally extended position.

WALTER KARAS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Numb er 

